Supporters as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy will certainly hope so after coming so close to winning the Champions League in the season just gone.

There's some optimism around the club at the moment with the Argentine tactician expected to be backed heavily in the summer transfer market as the Lilywhites look to make their first high-profile signing since Lucas Moura in January 2018.

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The Spurs squad are due to report to Hotspur Way for pre-season training next month in preparation for the Premier League season opener at home to newly-promoted Aston Villa, so there's plenty for fans to look forward in the coming weeks.

With the countdown to the new campaign on, our Spurs writer Alasdair Gold gave his thoughts on some of the big talking points at the new Tottenham stadium right now during an Q&A session with fans over the weekend where he was asked questions on topics ranging from summer targets to the futures of some players.

Here is what he had to say on what is going on behind the scenes in north London.

What young stars could be given a chance?

Alasdair Gold says: "I think the one who is knocking on the door is Troy Parrott. He’s only 17 but Pochettino loves him. They’ll take it slowly with him but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s taken on the first team tour to Asia this summer as Oliver Skipp was last year to the USA.

"I’ve seen a fair bit of Troy this season and he’s got all the attributes to be a top player if he continues to keep working hard at his game.

"I’ve gone into further detail in this article about why the academy coaches are excited about his potential partnership with another 17-year-old Kion Etete who joined this month from Notts County."

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Tottenham 2019/20 Premier League fixtures

When is the new kit officially being released?

Alasdair Gold says: "We don't have an exact release date yet but...

"It’s pretty much always early July as the team are about to return to pre-season training as they’ll be wearing the new training gear. Last year was slightly delayed because it was the first year with Nike.

"Here’s some photos of the home kit and training shirts believed to be on sale in Asia."

News about fresh contracts for Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld?

Alasdair Gold says: "There are slightly different circumstances with the two of them. I’d be surprised if Alderweireld is offered a new deal now. It feels like too much water has passed under the bridge and it would have been offered by now.

"The 30-year-old’s £25m clause is waiting to be triggered by interested clubs. No club came forward last season with a serious bid for him which seems crazy on the face of it because he’s a top class defender.

"If nobody triggers the clause this summer then perhaps both parties will revisit the situation but it’s more likely that the Belgian will see out the last year of his contract.

"In Eriksen’s case, he’s been at the club for six years and Pochettino spoke earlier this season about understanding that players might need new challenges.

"However, the options for the Dane look to be shrinking and he has admitted that he would be happy to sign a new contract at the club if there is no step up to be made.

"If Spurs strengthen significantly this summer then signing up a Christian Eriksen revitalised about the new project at Spurs might be a masterstroke and Spurs certainly won’t want to lose a then 28-year-old on a free transfer next summer."

Does Edwards have a future at Spurs?

Alasdair Gold says: "It all depends on Marcus Edwards. He’s 20-years-old now and his season battling with Excelsior Rotterdam in the Eredivisie will have done wonders for his development, mentally and on the pitch.

"He has only a year left of his contract at Spurs and if he still holds hope of impressing Pochettino then he will have to return to pre-season this summer looking to dazzle.

"He’s got all the talent in the world but the Spurs boss needs to see that he can handle the demands of his squad and the mental toughness it requires.

Marcus Edwards

"Edwards may decide that he won’t get enough minutes at Spurs after getting plenty in the Netherlands and having seen his friend Jaden Sancho succeed abroad he might look to do the same at a higher level.

"It’s all on Edwards really."

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Ndombele interest

Alasdair Gold says : "We're talking about two of Europe's toughest negotiators. The two clubs are engaged in talks but when it comes to Daniel Levy and Jean-Michel Aulas, two of the toughest negotiators in world football, it’s never going to be the quickest of moves.

"The two men have a good working relationship but it’s worth pointing out that their first dealing, the 2012 signing of Hugo Lloris took all summer and Aulas described it as the most difficult negotiation in his 25 years in football.

"However, Levy will know that there is less time and wiggle room with Ndombele due to other interested parties. There appears to be a confidence inside the club that the Frenchman would be happy to join a club where he would become a key player and regular starter.

Tanguy Ndombele during Lyon's game at Man City in the Champions League (Image: TF-Images/Getty Images)

"However, they have to agree a fee with Lyon which will shatter their transfer record.

"Ndombele’s words this weekend about Spurs being a great club will be music to fans’ ears and shows the extra status being Champions League finalists brings, but his statement that he’s heading off on his holidays and will look at it all afterwards indicates he’s not expecting a quick resolution.

"Spurs have made the 22-year-old their number one target and if they can pull off the deal the supporters might just forget the previous 500 days or so of transfer inactivity."

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Ndombele or Lo Celso?

Alasdair Gold says: "The impression I get is that the club will try for both. They’re two very different players who play in slightly different roles. Lo Celso more of a playmaker to Ndombele’s all round game.

"The question that could be asked if whether Lo Celso would be the Eriksen replacement, but with the Dane’s options shortening by the day, the Argentine could well come in as the challenger and team-mate Eriksen has needed for years to push him on and take the load off his shoulders.

"Any Lo Celso transfer being sealed could well be delayed for any interested parties by his involvement with Argentina at the Copa America but the feeling in Spain is that the Betis midfielder wants to link up with his compatriot Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs cannot dally over the fee though with Manchester United reported to be interested as well.

"With two transfer window budgets unused and the income made this season in Europe, there will be money to spend. Betis have a 20 per cent sell-on clause with PSG so they need to get as much as possible for the midfielder.

"In terms of whether deals will be done earlier than normal, that seems to be what Spurs are striving for.

"Pochettino has earned the right to have a player or two signing in time to take part in pre-season training and join up with the tour to Asia this summer."

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Will Spurs improve their squad this summer?

Alasdair Gold says: "Yes I am, purely because they have to. Pochettino has called on the club to change its mentality and act like a ‘big club’ going forward. If he’s not backed this summer then we won’t be seeing much more of the Argentine in north London.

"He’s spoken about a ‘painful rebuild’ and if that means players moving on then they must be replaced adequately. For example if Eriksen does move on then Spurs have to take a leaf out of Liverpool’s book with Coutinho and change their style of play for the better.

"If the targets that are being sought, namely Ndombele, Lo Celso and Sessegnon, are secured then it improves the squad immensely in the midfield but the same must be done if there are defensive departures as expected.

Mauricio Pochettino and Jesus Perez

"Pochettino will not accept another season of grinding away without the required personnel.

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